Luciano Spalletti discussed the players involved in contract renewal talks, the plans for next season and the hard work of Alex Meret.
The Partenopei have had an interesting summer transfer window so far, picking up players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mathias Olivera but also risking losing mainstays like Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens due to their desire to cut the wage bill. The latter has already left on a free transfer but recent reports suggest that he’s willing to drop his salary to stay with the club.
Speaking at a press conference, Spalletti first discussed the situation surrounding Koulibaly, Fabian Ruiz and Mertens.
“The club is making important contract offers, our will is that they’ll be our players, but then we’ll have to see. Our bar is always high, we always train to the maximum physically and mentally.
“Last year’s ranking is the past, we are all starting from scratch and there are teams that are strengthening. It’s not a foregone conclusion that we’ll be in the Champions League, we’ll also have to understand what’ll happen in the market. But our objectives remain important.
“The Champions League is like a wave for a surfer, you play at a high level and you have to show all your qualities. Last year we worked hard on it. The thought of being able to play it in a city like Naples always makes me wake up with a smile in the morning.”
Spalletti then spoke about the growth of Meret, the departure of David Ospina and his contact with Lorenzo Insigne.
“Meret has made mistakes like other goalkeepers, for me he is very reliable, a goalkeeper on the national team’s roster. I never said he’s not good with his feet, he’s training to eliminate the points where he needs to improve. But we need two goalkeepers to play at a high level.
“I wasn’t disappointed with Ospina, by now players have got used to us automatically choosing their future. He will certainly have motivations that I accept but I thank him for the great job he did last year.
“We’ve already prepared Koulibaly’s extra-large captain’s armband, Insigne’s didn’t suit him. Every now and then I talk to my players, so I’m also talking to him.”
Napoli were one of three teams involved in the Scudetto race last season but they ultimately dropped behind as the season entered it’s final stages, with their lack of depth ultimately punishing them. Whilst Aurelio De Laurentiis believes in silverware, Spalletti has already warned about the difficulty of a top four finish again.